Greer Garson is one of my all-time favorite actresses. In particular, her performance in "Random Harvest". And she always seemed perfectly cast with Walter Pidgeon. Somehow I had never seen this film, and now that I have...well, I am nonplussed. Oh, it's not a bad film; it's not just how I like to see Greer Garson.
This is pretty close to being a screwball comedy. There's even some slapstick here. Those who were surprised to see her singing and dancing on stage...check out her 'vaudeville' performance in "Random Harvest". I can't criticize her performance here. Nor does her comedy ability surprise me since in the 1960s she once ended up on "The Red Skelton Hour" (another MGM alumni).
Pidgeon is -- for me -- more reliable here. Although he takes a nice turn as humorous (rather than comedic; there is a subtle difference). Peter Lawford is very pleasant (and handsome here).
Elizabeth Taylor is wonderful as the daughter. Cesar Romero's role is...odd...as a romantic acrobat. I always enjoy Lucile Watson, and she was great here, as was Nigel Bruce as a flirty oldster. Interesting to see Reginald Owen as Julia's friend...also a supporting actor in "Random Harvest". And, Henry Stephenson is always welcome as a supporting character actor.
There was one thing that did bother me about the plot. Why Julia and Pidgeon decide independently that their daughter is marrying the wrong man.
Bottom line, Garson may be one of my very favorite actresses, and I have several of her films on my DVD shelf, and this was sort of entertaining...but I won't be watching it again.
This is pretty close to being a screwball comedy. There's even some slapstick here. Those who were surprised to see her singing and dancing on stage...check out her 'vaudeville' performance in "Random Harvest". I can't criticize her performance here. Nor does her comedy ability surprise me since in the 1960s she once ended up on "The Red Skelton Hour" (another MGM alumni).
Pidgeon is -- for me -- more reliable here. Although he takes a nice turn as humorous (rather than comedic; there is a subtle difference). Peter Lawford is very pleasant (and handsome here).
Elizabeth Taylor is wonderful as the daughter. Cesar Romero's role is...odd...as a romantic acrobat. I always enjoy Lucile Watson, and she was great here, as was Nigel Bruce as a flirty oldster. Interesting to see Reginald Owen as Julia's friend...also a supporting actor in "Random Harvest". And, Henry Stephenson is always welcome as a supporting character actor.
There was one thing that did bother me about the plot. Why Julia and Pidgeon decide independently that their daughter is marrying the wrong man.
Bottom line, Garson may be one of my very favorite actresses, and I have several of her films on my DVD shelf, and this was sort of entertaining...but I won't be watching it again.